The United States and China are locked in an intense AI competition with each country hoping to take the lead in this critical new technology. While initially pursuing a hands-off regulatory approach, Congress and the Trump administration are now considering policies that would limit foreign access to advanced U.S. AI models. This shift comes in the wake of the release of advanced models like Anthropic’s Mythos and Fable, which sharpened concerns in Washington about how cutting-edge AI capabilities could be used by foreign governments and rival firms. While the federal government has now allowed access to these advanced models, lawmakers and regulators are still weighing export controls, licensing requirements, and other safeguards designed to keep the most powerful AI systems out of the hands of strategic competitors, particularly China. The debate raises difficult questions about how to balance innovation, national security, and America’s role as a global technology leader.
Vincent Chow spoke with us on June 18, 2026 to explain Washington’s new approach to AI and what that means for U.S.-China relations.
Vincent Chow
Vincent Chow is a technology reporter covering frontier AI models, AI governance and US-China competition. He previously covered Chinese society and was awarded a SOPA award for his culture reporting.